HVAC/R Technician Salaries & Wage Percentiles
Data updated · Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025 · Methodology
Install, repair, and maintain commercial and residential heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems.
National Wage Percentile Spectrum
Empirical distribution from entry-level apprentice (10th percentile) to senior principal / master tier (90th percentile).
Nationwide State Salary Rankings
State-by-state empirical labor compensation benchmarked against local cost of living and purchasing power.
| Rank | State | Median Salary | Hourly Rate | CoL Adjusted Real Wage | Total Employed | Top Metro in State | CoL Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Alaska AK | $89,720 | $43.14/hr | $73,002 | 420 | Fairbanks-College, AK | 122.9 |
| #2 | Minnesota MN | $76,358 | $36.71/hr | $71,832 | 3,150 | Rochester, MN | 106.3 |
| #3 | Connecticut CT | $75,650 | $36.37/hr | $59,897 | 3,560 | Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT | 126.3 |
| #4 | Massachusetts MA | $73,243 | $35.21/hr | $55,996 | 8,140 | Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | 130.8 |
| #5 | New Hampshire NH | $73,090 | $35.14/hr | $63,778 | 870 | Manchester-Nashua, NH | 114.6 |
| #6 | Illinois IL | $72,715 | $34.96/hr | $69,186 | 8,400 | Peoria, IL | 105.1 |
| #7 | District of Columbia DC | $71,920 | $34.58/hr | $45,261 | 8,730 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | 158.9 |
| #8 | California CA | $70,872 | $34.07/hr | $48,442 | 34,180 | Napa, CA | 146.3 |
Top Metropolitan Areas for Maximum Earnings
High-yield metros commanding premier compensation, rent affordability, and living wage coverage.
Career Ladder & Progression Stages
Typical milestones from entry level to senior roles.
EPA 608 Universal Certification, trade school certificate
NATE certification, independent diagnostic electrical skills
Chiller, VRF, and building automation system certifications
State Mechanical Contractor license, bonded, business operations
Skill-Adjacent Career Opportunities
Direct lateral transitions capitalizing on shared occupational competencies and BLS wage differentials.
HVAC/R Technician: Career Ladder, Industry Hub & Regional Parity
Navigate parent industry benchmarks, lateral career progressions, and cross-pillar living cost calculators.
Skilled Trades Directory
Compare wage percentiles, required certifications, and senior salary caps across all Skilled Trades occupations.
Adjacent Career Paths
Living Cost & Tax Parity
Occupational Labor Economics & Frequently Asked Questions
Explore national wage percentiles (10th to 90th), top-paying metropolitan areas, and career ladder progression for HVAC/R Technician. Official 2026 economic data for HVAC/R Technician compiled from Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS surveys, HUD Fair Market Rents, and statutory tax codes.
Quick answers
National compensation benchmarks for HVAC/R Technician range across the 10th, 25th, 50th (median), 75th, and 90th percentiles based on BLS OEWS labor market statistics.
HVAC/R Technician: Where the Pay Is Highest
The national median for HVAC/R Technician is $61,010 per year ($29.33/hour). BLS OEWS publishes this occupation in 389 metropolitan areas, where median pay ranges from $44,600 in Beckley, WV to $93,820 in Fairbanks-College, AK.
Top-paying metropolitan areas for HVAC/R Technician
| Metropolitan area | Median annual wage | Vs national |
|---|---|---|
| Fairbanks-College, AK | $93,820 | +53.8% |
| Anchorage, AK | $85,620 | +40.3% |
| Napa, CA | $84,570 | +38.6% |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $82,050 | +34.5% |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $80,100 | +31.3% |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $79,510 | +30.3% |
| Peoria, IL | $78,710 | +29.0% |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $78,640 | +28.9% |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $78,530 | +28.7% |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $78,490 | +28.7% |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $78,330 | +28.4% |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $77,990 | +27.8% |